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"He has gone to look at his horses," said Lady Scroope, unable not to shew her disappointment by the tone of her voice

"That is so natural," said Sophie, aso and see Dandy whenever he arrives anywhere, only I don't dare!" Dandy was Miss Mellerby's own horse, and was accustomed to make journeys up and down between Mellerby and London

"I don't think horses and guns and dogs should be too ravely "There is a tendency I think at present to give them an undue importance When our amusements beco astray"

"I suppose ays are going astray," said Miss Mellerby Lady Scroope sighed and shook her head; but in shaking it she shewed that she couest

As there were only two horses to be inspected, and as Fred Neville absolutely refused the groo to the family, he was back in his aunt's rooone upstairs to dress for dinner The introduction was reeable He was such a ht of hi asked to love hiirl, and would have consented tosure of his affections; but Fred Neville was bold and frank as well as handsoht be that he was vicious, or ill-tempered, or selfish, and it would be necessary that she should know ; but as far as the first sight went, and the first hearing, Sophie Mellerby's impressions were all in Fred's favour It is no doubt a fact that with the very best of girls a e and a large property

"Do you hunt, Miss Mellerby?" he asked She shook her head and looked grave, and then laughed Aht to be a desirable accoirls do hunt now," said Fred

"Do you think it is a nice a ladies?" asked the aunt in a severe tone

"I don't see why not;--that is if they kno to ride"

"I kno to ride," said Sophie Mellerby

"Riding is all very well," said Lady Scroope "I quite approve of it for girls When I was young, everybody did not ride as they do now Nevertheless it is very well, and is thought to be healthy But as for hunting, Sophie, I'm sure your mamma would be very "